Ceramic Flooring Tiles Texarkana AR

Local resource for ceramic flooring tiles in Texarkana. Includes detailed information on local businesses that provide access to ceramic floor tiles, as well as advice and content on the advantages of the modern look that ceramic flooring provides.

Laying Ceramic-Tile Floor

by: Creative Homeowner "Walls, Floors & Ceilings"

Laying ceramic tile on a floor requires preparation and precision. For starters, the floor must be smooth and clean as well as sound, strong, and rigid enough to accept ceramic tile. If laying the tile in a bathroom or other area that is likely to be wet, you'll need a water-resistant underlayment such as 5/8-inch exterior-grade plywood. You'll also want to preplan the layout of the tile to determine how many tiles you'll need and to help you visualize the overall pattern that the tiles might form.Prior to actually laying the tiles, remove the shoe molding of the baseboard trim as well as any door that will pass over the newly tiled floor. Because the new floor will be slightly higher than the old, the bottoms of these doors may need to be undercut to allow their unimpeded passage over the tiled floor. To protect against dust intrusion, seal all electrical outlets, air ducts, and open doorways.

Project:

Moderately difficult

Estimated Project Time:

2 days or more, allowing for curing time

Estimated Project Cost:

A 12' x 14' area using 6" x 6" standard grade 4 tile, may cost between $500.00 - $1500.00 depending on the cost of each square foot of tile.

Start Tips:

Remember to allow for grout spaces between each tile. Safety Tips: If adhesive is organic, volatile, or toxic, provide plenty of ventilation and wear a NIOSH-approved respirator as well as safety gloves.

Recommendation:

Do-It-Yourself

Tools and Materials:

Framing square

1x2 or 1x3 wooden battens

Hammer and nails, or screwdriver and screws

Ceramic tile, grout, and adhesive

Molded plastic spacers (nubs), or cord or wood strips to act as spacers

NIOSH-approved respirator and safety gloves, as needed

Notched trowel

Straightedge

Sheet of plywood

2-foot length of 2x4 lumber and scraps of carpet for making bedding block

Rubber mallet

Pencil

Glass or tile cutter

Tile nippers

80-grit sandpaper

Rubber float or squeegee

Tile sealer and grout sealer, as needed

Flexible silicone caulk

Sponge

Jointing tool or old toothbrush

Clean cloth

Mark GuidelinesDraw intersecting guidelines that form exact 90-degree angles to each other, using a framing square. These intersecting lines are usually established at the center of the room, but if the room has an irregular shape, various entrances, or walls that are curved, you may want to choose another reference, perhaps an important line of sight, for establishing these guidelines. Use chalk and a straightedge to draw these lines all the way to the walls.

Dry-lay the Tiles Across the RoomLay out a row of tiles extending to the wall along each guideline. Remember to allow for grout spaces between each tile. (Some tiles have built-in spacers, called nubs; you can also place molded plastic spacers or similar it...